Rotary separator



Feb. 27, 1934. H. A. F. VON RECHENBERG 1948998 ROTARY SEPARATOR Filed Nov. 4, 1931 Patented Feb. 27, 1934- UNITED STATES ROTARY SEPARA'I'OR Hans Albrecht Freiherr von Rechenberg, Cologne, Germany Application November 4, 1931, Serial N0. 572,988 In Germany November 4, 1930 2 Olaims. (GI. 209-95) My invention relates 130 a process 1'0r separating grain by a rotary separator, such as employed for separating wheat and like grains from oats, wheat seeds or the like, and has for its objects 110 in- 1 crease the eficiency and the output of the same. Separators for grains, seed and the like are known which are comprised of a drum rotating ab a very high speed, pockets provided on the inner periphery of the drum, a receiving hopper posi- 1u tioned within the drum, and means deeply extending into the kidney-shaped body of grain Iorming itself in the drum during operation, said means serving to preveni: the knidney-shaped body of grain or seed from moving up and. down.

In separators of this kind, the means extending into the body of grain pr'omote the formation 01 layers in said body, which formation decreases the efiiciency of the separating operation, because the layers in the interior of the body do not sufficiently contact with the peripheral face of the drum and, for 'chis reason, are not properly subjected to the separating effect.

My experiments have shown that, in order to obcain an eflicient separating operation in the drum provided with pockets, it is important to interfere with the f ormation of the kidney-shaped. mass of material.

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic cross section through my rotary separater.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to thai; shown in Fig. 1, but illustrating a modification of ehe invention.

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing a still further modification.

According to my invention, I prevent the mass oi material to be treated from forming a kidneyshaped body by feeding the interior layers 01 the body of grain through suitable means in a direction opposite to the rotation of the drum into the portion of the drum situated in freut 015 the body, viewed in the direction of rotation. Said means may comprise a rotary agitator revolving in a direction opposite to that of the drum, or an inclined surface combined. with a distributing roller, or compressed air, or the like. The effective surface of the drum contacting with the grains and the efficiency 0f the separator is thereby increased.

My invention is diagrammatically shown in Fig. 2. The drum 1 suitably mounted for rotation in direction of the arrow, is equipped With aTplurality of pockets (not shown) provided on its inner face so as to carry the grains upwards and into a hopper or receiver 2.

For the purpose of my invention, I may provlde below the hopper 2 a rotary shaft 3 extending parallel 110 the axis 01 the drum and carrying a plurality of radial agitating blades. The shafl:

3 revo1ves in a direction opposite 110 that cf the 130 drum and is so positioned that its radial b1ades engage the upper downwardly moving layers o! the kidney-shaped mass 110 be treated, thereby throwing the grains contained in said layers opposite 120 the direction of rotation of the drum and in front of the mass, when viewed in the direction of rotation. Thus, the agitator moves the grains onto a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the drum which, in prior constructions, was free from grains. m

A separater co nstru0ted and operated. in accordance with my invention Will separate a much larger quantity than the separator of the prior art.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, I have arranged an inclinlad board 4 within the drum 1. 'I'his is sufficiently spaced from the inner drum surface to permit the free passage 0a? the upwardly moving layers of grain, but it is 1ocated to intercept the cascade of grain as indicated in Fig. 2. The board conducts the grain towards a distributing roller 5 equipped with suitable blades and adapted 130 throw the grain to a point beyond the lowermost portion of the drum as indicated in the drawing.

In Fig. 3 there is shown a modified arrangement in Which a pipe 6 supplied with air under pressure is arranged parallel to the axes of the drum at a distance from the periphery thereof which is sufficient to permit a free passage of the rising layers 01 grain. The grain cascading downward as indicated in Fig. 3 is carried towards the right by a blast of air issuing from suitable oflfices provided in pipe 6, and 117 is thus conveyed 1:0 a point beyond the lowermost portion of the drum surface.

What I claim isr- 1. In the process for separating grain Irom vveed seeds'which comprises supporting a certain mass of grain on the inside o:f a cylindrical surface having cavities for receiving the seeds, rotating said cylindrical surface about its axis at a speed suflicient to cause the lower 1ayers of the mass of grain to be carried. upwards on the rising zone of said surface to a point Irom which they Will cascade downwardly over said lower layers, the step of positively engaging and throwing grain particles carried downward within said cascade to a point beyond the lowermosb portion rising zone of said surface to a point from which they will cascade downwardly over said lower 1ayers, the step of agitaing and throwing grain particles carried downward within said cascade to a, point beyond the lowermost portion cf said surface the upward. motion of said layers being unhampered.

HANS ALBRECHT FREIHERR VON RECHENBERG. 

